A Day Trip to Kibune
Exploring the enchanting village of Kibune was definitely a trip highlight for us, giving us a peek into the countryside of Kyoto. Located in the northern mountains of Kyoto, Kibune offers a refreshing retreat from the hustle and bustle of the city, especially during the warmer months. One of the coolest things about Kibune, quite literally, is the kawadoko (over the river) dining experience from June to September. It’s a pretty unique experience! Here, we share some tips and highlights from our day in Kibune.
How to get there
From Kyoto, it took us about 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach the small town of Kibune. We started by taking the Keihan Main Line train from Kyoto Station to Demachiyanagi Station, then switched to the Eizan Main Line to Kibuneguchi Station. From there, we could either walk for 35 minutes along the scenic Kuramakibunecho road or take an 18-minute bus ride followed by a shorter walk to get to these following spots.
First stop: Hirobun
Hirobun marked our first stop—it’s undeniably the busiest spot in Kibune, drawing crowds for its famed nagarashi somen gliding through the bamboo, a discovery we made through viral videos. There are two ways to savor Hirobun: opting for the gliding somen paired with matcha warabimochi or indulging in a kaiseki meal. Reservations are necessary for the kaiseki option, while for the somen, no reservations are accepted. We waited approximately 30 minutes before securing seats for the somen noodles. Keep in mind, it’s cash only, and the somen experience lasts about 20 minutes.
Address: 87 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1112, Japan
Second stop: Hyoue
We stumbled upon Hyoue (just across of Hirobun), a cozy spot tucked away from the crowds, offering kawadoko seating. To our surprise, there was no wait, and we were able to get front-row seats with a view of the Kawadoko river. We ordered a matcha latte, a monaka wafer with kiwi, and coffee warabi mochi. We lounged above the river for a little more than 2 hours- it felt like our own private retreat.
Address: 101 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1112, Japan
Third stop: Kifune Shrine
Our last stop before heading back to Kyoto was the Kifune Shrine. This site is dedicated to the goddess of water and rain, believed to offer protection to sailors and bring good weather to those venturing out to sea. Legend says a goddess traveled from Osaka in a boat, upstream to the mountains north of Kyoto. The shrine marks where her journey ended, where her boat finally stopped. There are three distinct shrines: the Main Shrine, the starting point; Okunomiya, found at the road’s end and known for matchmaking; and Yui no Yashiro, positioned midway between the first two, offering a space for wishes and prayers.
